Writers in the Storm

A blog about writing

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Author: Guest Blogger

5 Questions to Ask Before Adding a Subplot

by Janice Hardy

Subplots can add depth and resonance to a story, but sometimes, they just knock the whole novel off track.

I’m currently revising two novels. My agent asked me to cut out a fairly large subplot from each of them, which changes a lot of little things in the novel, as well as some major things.… Read the post

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How To Use Traits to Create Character Arcs

by Sarah "Sally" Hamer

What do virtues and vices have to do with plot? Actually, I think they have everything to do with it. At least, if you believe that character arc and plot are similar.

Just like humans, characters have character traits.

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Using “was” is passive writing, or is it?

by Dr. Diana Stout

How many times have you heard, “You shouldn’t use was.*** It’s passive writing?" Far too often, I find editing software or autocorrect will say “passive writing” when it’s not true. That’s why it’s important to understand what passive writing looks like.… Read the post

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Diving in the Toolbox: Creating a Plot-Subplot Template

by Laurie Schnebly Campbell

When someone first asked about creating a plot-subplot template for their toolbox, I was baffled. “Why would you need to create a template? Why not just use the W, or the Hero/ine’s Journey, or Discovering Story Magic, or Plotting Via Motivation, or the Snowflake, or Personality Ladder, or -- oh.… Read the post

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Tag Your Dialogue with Big-Time Power!

by Margie Lawson

Considering all the elements of writing, dialogue tags are like clothespins. When you’re hanging clothes on a line, they have an important job to do. But no one truly values them. Clothespins become rough and faded and cracked, but we keep using them.… Read the post

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